Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Results of first live music census released for Leeds
The research, which was led by the University of Edinburgh, Newcastle University and University of Turku in Finland, found that small music venues are facing a number of threats that could affect their long-term future.
The Leeds section of the census was carried out in March 2017 by a team of academics from music, entertainment management and events management at Leeds Beckett, led by Samuel Nicholls, Senior Lecturer in Music.
Sam said: “The census is a valuable piece of research, and the focus it has had on Leeds is beneficial in understanding the ways in which we can support music as part of the rich cultural fabric within the city.
“In particular, it highlights the valuable role small music venues play in Leeds – specifically with the Brudenell Social Club.
Sam Nicholls
“The Brudenell came out as one of the venues nationwide audiences say is most significant to them. It was ranked alongside renowned venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom and Brixton Academy.
“We hope to publish a report that delves deeper into the figures and statistics from the Leeds part of the survey later in the year.”
The census found property development around small live venues, which can result in noise complaints from people living nearby, affected a third of the venues surveyed.
It also found that increasing tax rates – with a third of 200 venues surveyed affected by increases in business rates - and noise level restrictions had a negative impact on smaller venues.
The survey, which was the first in the UK, was also carried out across Glasgow, Newcastle, Oxford, Birmingham, Southampton and Brighton.
As part of it, students interviewed participants and observed live events throughout the city.